Bicycle.



No. 727,405. PATBNTED MAY 5, 190's. 13.15. MODISETT.

BICYCLE. nrmonron mam 00129; 1902.

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10 MODEL.

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'No. 727,405. PAT-ENTED MAY 5, 1903. B. P.. MODISETT.

BICYCLE.

APPLICATION FILED OUT-9, 1902.

10 MODEL. 9 SHEETS-11331 2.

WITNESSES IN VENTOI? M Ava/mm we mums PEY PATENTED MAY 5, 1903.

B. P. MODISETT.

BICYCLE.

APPLICATION FILED QOT. a, 1902/ N0 MODEL.

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PATENTED MAY 5, 1903.-

B. F. MODISETT. BICYCLE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 9, 1902. 10 MODEL. 9 sums-sum '1.

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51 We, W 4770mm) No. 727,405. PATBNTED'MAYB, 1903.

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BICYCLE.

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No. 727,405. PATBNTEDMAY-E, 1903'.

B. F. .MODISETT. BICYCLE.

APPLICATION FILED-0019, 1902. .10 1101131.. 9 sums-sum 9.

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U Ni'rn- STATES Patented May 5, 1903.

PATENT QFFICE.

BICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 727,405, dated May" 5. 1903' Application filed October 9,1902. Serial No. 126,413. (N0 model.)

To ctZZ w/wm it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. MODISETT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Helena, in the county of Phillips and State of Arkansas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Bicycles, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in bicycles; and one object that I have in view is the provision of a simple and strong construction in which the parts are organized in a new way, so as to bring the carrying-wheels into parallel relation and to suspend the weight of the load close down to the ground, thus enabling the rider to mount and dismount with comparative ease, overcoming the tendency of the wheels to slip below the rider and enabling the rider to use his eiforts to the best advantage in securing fast speed of the machine.

A further object is to provide an improved steering device by which the rider is able to control the wheels separately by levers placed within convenient reach of the hands, and these levers may be shifted so as to steer the machine on any desired course or to simultaneously move the wheels to inclined positions for arresting the machine without a brake.

A further object is to equip the machine with an improved propelling mechanism adapted to use the power of the hands and feet in such a way as to secure high speed.

A further object is to so mount the frame on the axles as to cushion the vibration of' the seat and to reduce the shock when one of the wheels drops into a rut or depression in the road.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the subjoined description, and the novelty will be defined by the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of my bicycle, illustrating the carrying-frame and one of the axles, partly in section, and omitting the seat, the driving and steering mechanisms, and the canopy. Fig. 2 is a (letail View through a part of a wheel felly. Fig. 3 is a vertical crosssection through the center of the structure.

machine, omitting both of the carryingwheels. Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the complete bicycle. Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are detail views of the several parts comprising the hub. Fig. 10 is a detail view, in side elevation, partly in section, of one of the slidable bearings. Figs. 11, 12, 13, 14,15, 16, 17, 1S, and 19 are detail views of various parts, which will be hereinafter described. Figs. 20 and 21 are views in end and front elevation of the seat. Figs. 22, 23, and 24 are detail views of parts to be hereinafterdescribed. Fig. 25 is an elevation of one memberor section of the axle, showing by dotted lines the pivotal and sliding bearings associated with the axle; and Figs. 26 and 27 are enlarged detail views of parts of the carrying-frame.

My improved bicycle differs from those of ordinary make in many essential respects, chief among which is the arrangement of the wheels side by side or parallel to each other and the employment of the carrying-frame, which is suspended below the axle of the ma chine in order to bring the weight below the For the purpose of placing the riders seat in the middle of the machine and for steering and guiding the apparatus the main axle is divided transversely into members or sections (indicated at A A, see Fig. 4.) On the outer ends of the axle members are secured the main wheels 0, which are of large diameter, as shown by Figs. 1 and 4., and from the axle members is suspended thecarrying-frame,which is equipped with the riders seat and with the means for propelling the axle members and the wheels. The frame embodies in its construction a horizontal bar G, another horizontal bar D, the upright members at to, and suitable stays or braces. The horizontal bars Gr D are each continuous and extend nearlyfrom one wheel to the other, as shown by Fig. 4, and thebar G is arranged a considerable distance below the horizontal plane of the axle and in the same vertical plane thereof, whereas the other continuous bar D is arranged well to the rear of the axle and nearlyin the same horizontal plane as said axle. The horizontal bars D and G are connected at their end portions by diagonal braces H. (Shown in Fig. 1.) The frame members 00 0c extendvertically from the lower bar G, to which said frame members are rigidly fastened, and these frame members are connected operatively with the axle-sections A A by the pivotal bearings 2. (Shown in Figs. 1 and 4: and by detail in Figs. 11 and 12.) These pivotal bearings are provided with openings u to loosely receive the outer end portions of the axle members, and said pivotal hearings are prevented from sliding on the axle members by the check-nuts B, which are screwed on the axle members so as to lie on opposite sides of the pivotal bearings. Each bearing 2. is provided with a depending stem U, which is arranged to fit loosely in aehanneled orhollow upper portion of the upstanding frame members a: ac, and each frame member is provided with a head 00 (Shown more clearly by Figs. 11 and 12.) Said head Q32 of each frame member isfprovided with an opening, through which loosely passes the stem U, and against the under side of this head bears washer to. A coiled cushioned spring to is loosely fitted around the depending stem of each bearing 25 in a manner to be housed within the hollow part of the upstanding frame member, and one end of this spring acts against the washer 20', while the other end of said spring is seated against an adjustable nut 10 which is screwed on the lower threaded end of the stem U, thus making provision for placing the spring under tension and for increasing or decreasing the energy of the spring, as may be required. It will thus be seen that the carrying-frame is loosely suspended at its upper end corners from the outer portions of the axle members by means of the bearings which have pivotal connection with certain parts of the frame, and the vibration of the frame is absorbed or taken up to a large extent by the employment of the cushion-springs 1.0, which are operatively connected with the stems of the pivotal bearings and oppose the downward movement of the carrying-frame. The frame is connected at points intermediate of its length to the inner portions of the axle members by means of slidable bearings, the same being shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and in detail by Fig. 10. Theinner end portion'of each axle member is reduced, as shown by Fig. 25, to form a tenon a, on which is screwed a nut G, and this tenon of eachaxlcmemberis fitted looselyin an opening 3 of the slidable bearing 70, (see Fig. 9,) after which the nut G is screwed on the tenon in order to cooperate with a shoulder on the axle member for the purpose of holding the hearing and the axle member in their proper positions. The slidable bearings 70 are fitted to the inner portions of the axle members so as to lie on opposite sides of the riders seat, as shown by Fig. 4, and these slidable bear-'- ings are providedwith the sleeves 7c and with the threaded studs q. (See Fig. 10.) The the front ends of the links 19.

wardly from the frame-bar, so as to lie on opposite sides of the seat. The horizontal arms are supported at their front ends by means of braces 7", which are fixed at their upper ends to the arms Z and are suitably connected with a part of the carrying-frame. The sleeves 7c of the bearings are free to slide for limited distances on the horizontal arms Z, which form parts of the frame, and to the studs q of the slidable bearings are attached The rear ends of the links are engaged by the hooks m of the retracting-springs m, which are attached to the frame-bar D by the eyebolts at, having the thumb-nuts 0. (See Fig. 10.) The links, the springs, and eyebolts are disposed below the horizontal frame-arms Z, so as to be out of the way and to occupy compact relation to certain parts of the frame. The springs m normally draw the slidable bearings 70 rearwardly on the frame-arms Z, so as to make these slidable bearings kaline with each other and with the pivotal bearings 25, and thus the pivotal and slidable bearings are maintained in alined positions for the purpose of holding the axle members A A in alinement with each other, whereby the wheels C are kept in parallel positions and the machine is made to pursue a straight course.

I have provided means for individually shifting the slidable bearings and the axle members so as to steer the machine around a corner or in any desired course, and these steering'devices will now be described.

The lower frame-bar Gris equipped at points intermediate of its length with the upstanding posts g, which are rigidly fastened to said bar, and these posts, together with the upstanding members an as of the frame, are braced by the diagonal stay-rods F, two of which are provided on opposite sides of the seat. One stay-rod is fastened to the bar G and one postp', the other stay-rod is fastened to the bar G and the frame member 00 or as, and the two stay-rods comprising the pair cross each other and are united at their point of intersection. (See Figs. at and 26.) The posts q are provided with the upstanding bars 19, each'having an angular lug 19 (see Figs. 20and 21,) and on the lugs p are independently pivoted the guiding-levers y y. (See Fig. 4.) Each guiding-lever is provided at its front end with a handpiece or grip, while its rear end is pivoted to the lug of the post, and this lever is connected, by means of a link M, with one of the slidable bearings, "said link having a short link .2, attached to the studq or the link 29, as shown by Fig. 10. The steering-lever y is connected with its link p by a brace g the opposite end of said brace being attached to the rear end of the lever 'y and the upper part of the link g (See Fig. 13.) It Will be observed that the levers y y may be individually manipulated so as to draw one or both of the slidable bearings 7c in a forward direction and against the energy of the springs m, and

this movement of the bearings 7:; k adjusts one or the other .of the axle members A or A to the required position for changing the course of the machine.

The riders seat a occupiesa horizontal positioh over the frame-bar G and in front of the frame-bar D. This seat is disposed centrally within the machine, and at the end portions of the seat are provided the guides n, which are fitted slidably on 'the upright posts q, to which the steering-levers are fulcrumed. The seat '01 is provided near its end portions with depending guide-stems niwhich are fixed to the under side of the seat and have their lower ends arranged to play freely in guide-plates 01 that are fixed to the top edge of the bar G, and around these guidestems' are fitted the coiled cushion-springs t, the latter serving to normally hold the seat at in an elevated position and to allow said seat to have a limited vertical movement on the frame. The springs also absorb the jar or vibration of the seat. The rider occupies a central position within the frame and is free to lean rearwardly against the back m which is attached to the seat by the bars .9 and is braced by the rods 7'. The seat a and the back m may be cushioned or finished in any suitable way, and this is an obvious expedient. The seat is arranged between the inner terminal portions of the axle members and in a horizontal position below said axle members, and said seat also lies between the guiding-levers I/ y, so that the lovers are within convenient reach of the right and left hands of the rider.

seat for the purpose of protecting the rider against the sun and the weather, and this canopy is secured or mounted on the uprights O, which are fastened in a suitable way to ried by the frame-bar G.

The propelling mechanism which I employ is adapted for operation by the hands and feet of the rider, and the operating parts ofthis rearwardly to the bar D, to which the framebars 7.5 are fastened. These frame-bars are stayed steadily in place by the braces z" and j, the braces 2" extending rearwardly from the lower ends of the braces k and are fastened to the frame-bar G, as shown by Fig. 3, while the other bracesj' extend laterally from the frame-bars k and the braces 71', so as to be fastened to the front sides of the frame-bar G, as shown by Fig. 4.

The pedals X are in the form of bails or loops, (shown more clearly by Fig. 18,) and these pedals are fitted loosely on the end portions of the pivotal rod 7t, each pedal being held against lateral displacement by any suitable means. The pedals are provided with the stay-bolts Z, and the rear stay-bolt on the pedal is associated with a clip f Each pedal is also provided at its front end with a stud g, to which may be connected a curtain adapted to inclose the rider and protect him from the rain. The pedals X have their front portions pivoted to the driving-rods Z, and these driving-rods extend upwardly and rearwardly to the driving-levers Z, one of which is shown in detail by Figs. 15 and 16. Each drivinglever Z is forked or bifurcated and fitted loosely on the inner portion of one axlemember, so as to embrace a ratchet z, fixed to one axle member. The driving lever is thus loosely mounted on the axle member to have a rocking motion on an axis concentric with that of the ratchet z, and this driving-lever is adapted to turn the ratchet and the axle when the'rod Z is pulled downward by the pressure on the treadle. The driving-lever is provided with pawls 1), arranged to engage with the teeth of the ratchet, and these ratchets 2 on the two axle members are driven individually by the lovers, the rods, and the ate the levers and the ratchets for the pro- J designates a canopy arranged over the pulsion of the axles, and these pedals are pulled down by the riders hands and the rods W, the pawls and ratchets being actuatedby the pedals and the pull-rods to assist in the propulsion of the machine. l the upper portions of the standards g car-- In Fig. 15 of the drawings the driving-lever Z is provided with two-pawls arranged one above the other; but the lower pawl is adapted to serve as the means for rotating the ratchet when the pedal is forced down and the pull-bar is pulled up, the other pawl serving as a check to prevent backward turning of the ratchet. On the upstroke of the pedal and the leverZ the pawls slip idly over the ratchet; but as the two pedals and pullbars work alternately the machine is adapted to be propelled continuously.

' Any suitable construction of wheels may be employed; but I prefer to usea double series of spokes in connection with the particuelusive. The hub consists of the outside plates 61 01, each having an inwardly-extended boss e, and between these plates is interposed a short sleeve J, having a radial plate J Thehub-sleeveJisarrangedbetween the plates d d, so that its plate J will lie between the two series of spokes a and these spokes, with the severalhub-plates, are fastened together by the rivets a hub-plates are fitted on the outer end portion The pedals are forced downward by The bosses e of the- IIO .lar form of hub shown. in Figs. 5 to 9, in-

I pendent'sets of propelling devices connected individually with. the axle members, separate sockets of'the wheel-folly b and are secured in. place by transverse rivets b The wheel felly or rim may be provided with a tires of any'suitable character.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A bicycle comprising a divided axle, a suspended frame, means for pivotally and yieldably connecting said frame with the members of said axle, spring-controlled bearingssupporting the inner ends of the axle members and normally holding the latter in alined relation, and steering-handles connected with said bearings.

2; A bicycle comprising a, divided axle, a suspended frame, means for pivotally con+ necting said frame with individualmembers of said axle, spring-controlled bearings-supporting the individual axle members, and'separate steering-levers mounted on the frame and connected with said bearings.

3. A- bicycle comprising. a divided. axle, a.

seat-frame suspended from the members of said-axle, parallel wheels mountedindividually on the axlemembers, apropelling mechanism,rtension devices for normally holding the axle members inalined relation, and separate steering devices individually operable 1 at will and connecting-said members of said axle, andarranged'to independently or simultaneously move them against the energy of their; tension devices.

4. Abicycle comprisinga divided axle,a seat-frame having a pivotalsuspension connection with the members of said axle, wheels mounted on the members of the axle, indetension devices connected with the axle memhere to normallyholdthem in alined relation, and-independentsteering devices operableat will and connected individually with the axle members to move the latter slidably-against,

the energy of; the tension devices.

5. A bicycle comprising a suspended seatframe, a divided axle having each of its meme l bers connected pivotally with the seat-frame, bearings fitted slidably on said frame and supporting the inner portions of, the axle members, springs controlling the slidable bearings and, normally holding the axle members in alined relation, wheels mounted on the individual axle members, a propelling mechan ism, and steering-devices connected to the alidable bearings forshifting said axle memers.

6. A bicycle comprising a suspended scatframe, a divided axle, bearings pivotally connecting the outer ends of the axle members with the seat-frame, horizontally-slidable bearings connecting the inner ends of the axle members with the seat-frame, a propelling mechanism, and separate steering devices connected: with said slidable bearings to adjust the axlemembers individually and to disalined positions.

7. A bicycle comprising a suspended seatframe, a divided axle having its membersdis- 1 posed above the horizontal plane of said seat-1 ,frame, bearings fitted to the end portions of :the axle and connected with the seat-frame, horizontally slidable bearings mounted on gthe seat-frame and connected with the inner bearings of the axle members, means for individually shifting said slidable bearings and changing the relation of the axle members, a propelling mechanism, and suitable carryling-wheels mounted individually on the axle members.

8. In abicycle, the combination of a suspended seat-frame, a divided axle having its members connected with thesaid' frame by pivotal and horizontally-slidable bearings, and means for holding the slidable bearings normally-in line with the pivotal bearings, and steering devices connected separately with said slidable bearings.

9. In a bicycle, the combination of a divided: wheeled axle having independently- :s hiftable members, a seat-frame suspended ,yieldably and pivotally from the endportions ;of said axlemembers, a propelling mechanism, and separatesteering devices connected individually withthe axle members.

10. In a bicycle, the combination of a di- Fvided Wheeled axle having its members separated to provide an intermediate space, a frame disposed below said axle and yieldably .suspended therefrom, a seat disposed in the space between the adjacent ends of the axle [members and yieldably supported on the said frame, and means for propelling and steering I the bicycle.

11. A bicycle comprising a divided wheeled axle, a seat-frame suspended from said axle and provided with horizontal guide-bars,bear- :ings supporting. the axle members and slidjably fitted to said guide-bars, springs to normallydraw said-bearings and the axle members in alinement with each other, and levers fulcrumed on the seat-frame and connected individually to the slidable bearings.

12. A bicycle comprisinga seat-frame, a diivided wheeled axle having its members shiftably connected with said seat-frame for adjustmentthereon in horizontal planes, bearings fitted to the outer portions of the members of said axle, stems carried by the beariings and fittedloosely in the seat-frame t-o permit-the stems to have a .turning and slidable movementwith the bearings and axle members relative to said frame, and cushionsprings seated against the frame members and the stems on said bearings to absorb the shock on the frame.

13. Abicycle comprising a divided wheeled axle having its members separatedto provide an intermediate space, a frame yieldably suspended from said axle, a vertically-movable seat guided on the said frame and disposed in the space between the adjacent ends of said axle members, means to cushion the slidable movement of the seat on the frame, a horizontally-slidable bearing for each member of the axle, means for operating said bearings, and independent sets of propelling devices connected with the members ofsaid axle.

14. A bicycle comprising a divided wheeled axle, a seat-frame suspended from the members of said axle, propelling-treadles independently supported on the seatframe, a pull-rod attached to one end of each treadle, ratchets carried by the inner ends of the members of said axle, driving-levers fulcrumed on the seat-frame, links connecting the other ends of said treadles with the di'ivinglevers, and pawls carried by the said levers and engaging with the ratchets.

15. A bicycle comprising a seat-frame having continuous upper and lower bars suitably united by intermediate frame members, a divided axle provided with carrying-wheels, pivotal bearings connected with the end portions of the frame and the axle members, horizontally-slidable bearings mounted on said frame and receiving the inner ends of the axle members, a seat supported by the frame between the axle members and the slidable bearings therefor, independent propelling devices mounted on the frame and connected separately with the axle members, and separate steering devices disposedat the sides of the seat and connected with the slidable bearings of said axle members.

16. In a bicycle, the combination of a divided axle, a wheel on each member of the axle, a frame suspended from the outer ends of the members of the axle, horizontally-slidable and spring-pressed hearings carried by the frame, and in which the inner ends of the axle members are mounted, and means for sliding said bearings.

17. In a bicycle, the combination of a divided axle, a wheel on each member of the axle, a frame suspended from the outer ends of the members of the axle, horizontally-slidable bearings carried by the frame and in which the inner ends of the members of the axle are mounted, means for holding the bearings in position to retain the axles alined, and means for sliding the said hearings to steer the bicycle.

18. In a bicycle, the combination of a divided axle, wheels on the members of the axle, a frame yieldingly suspended from the members of the axle adjacent to the wheels,

horizontally-slidable bearings carried by the frame and in which the inner ends of the members of the axle are mounted, springs connected with the sliding bearings and holding the members of the axle normally alined, and means connected with said bearings for sliding them against the action of the springs.

19; In a bicycle, the combination of a divided axle, wheels on the members of the axle, a frame suspended from the outer ends of the axle members, horizontally slidable bearings carried by the frame and in which the inner ends of the axle members are mounted, levers connected with said bearings for sliding the same, a frame carried by the main frame, a seat mounted in the said frame in the space between the axle members and in a plane below the same, pedals pivoted on the seat-frame, and a driving mechanism with which the pedals are connected.

20. In a bicycle, the combination with a divided axle, wheels on the axle members, a frame yieldingly suspended from the outer ends of the axle members, sliding and springpressed bearings carried by the frame and in which the inner ends of the axle members are mounted, hand-levers connected with said bearings for sliding them, a seat-frame carried by the main frame, a yieldingly-supported seat mounted in the seat-frame, pedals pivoted between their ends on the seat-frame, a pull-rod connected with one end of each pedal, a link connected with the other end of the pedal, and pawl-and-ratchet mechanisms for operating the bicycle and with which the said links are connected.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BENJAMIN F. MODISETT.

Witnesses:

E. A. PORTER, N. B. MARTIN. 

